Question

a cold sores are caused by the herpes virus. often this virus is passed from mother to child in the first few months of life. individuals that carry this virus have ulcers that form on the lips, sometimes years after the initial infection. it is common for these ulcers to heal, only to come back at a later date. this information on cold sores suggests that the reproductive cycle of the herpes virus is--

Answer 1

Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus which enters a latency phase post the initial infection. The virus can then reactivate throughout the individual's life, particularly when triggered by stress or environmental changes, causing the reemergence of cold sores.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reproductive cycle suggested by the information on cold sores is known as latency. The herpes simplex virus (HSV), particularly HSV-1, infects the body and can go into a latent state within nerve cells, exhibiting no symptoms for an extended period. During this stage, the virus is not actively replicating. Stress or other environmental triggers can cause the virus to reactivate, leading to the development of cold sores or blisters, particularly on the lips. This reactivation can reoccur several times throughout the individual's life, as the virus permanently resides in the body's nerve cells even when cold sores are not present.

Moreover, HSV-2, commonly associated with genital herpes, also exhibits latency and can produce recurrent infections. While treatment options like antiviral medications such as acyclovir can help manage outbreaks, there is currently no cure for herpes, thus maintaining the cycle of latency and reactivation.